The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-29


that the tones were getting broken, and
sometimes even refused to come at all.
"God help me-" he thought, ''if 1 get
quite powerless before any one comes to
my help My poor father and Marschsl
what will they say if never come homer
And I thought to make them SO happy
with the money I earned tonight
This thought nerved his arm once more.
But he felt it could not be for long. His
strength was leaving him fast.
It was now broad daylight. The rum
BILE of heavy wagon was heard from the
road. Hope put new life into Iwan's bow
He drew it across the strings SO as to
produce the high notes which he knew
would be the most piercing, accompany
ing them by shrill cry at the top of his
voice.
The rumbling ceased. In few min
utes a kindly, weather-beaten face was
seen peering over the mouth of the pit.
"Well, my lad" said the man, recognizing
IVAN, whose passion for music and his
/
were well known, "you've chosen an odd
place in which to practise forbidden arts.
How came you here?"
"Don't stop to ask. Look at my COM
rade. Run for guu," painted the boy,
still fiddling desperately.
"Mercy on us! you have an upcanny
companion, and no mistake" cried the
man, now perceiving the brute. "Hold
on bit longer. I'll be back in jiffy."
He was turning away. At that moment
another man appeared. He had gun
on his shoulder. 1t was Stephen Hurla,
the owner of the pit. He came on with
great angry strides.
"What is that?" he said. "Who is
fddling down there in my pitt"
Snow that is what call coming in the
nick of time," cried the WAGNER. "Iwan
Tronski is down there with wolf. IL
you don't make quick work Of the brute
with your gun, he'll soon make short work
of poor IVAN"
"The fiddler's sonl How ever did he
get down there?"
Without waiting for an answer, he ran
to the pit and looked down. The bow
had just fallen from the poor boys
nerveless fingers. Forgetful of the dan
ger of taking his eye off the creature, he
stopped to pick it up. Freed from both
the spells that had held it hitherto, the
wolf gave wild growl, and sprang at
him. Ivan gave himself up for lost.
Then shot from the hunters gun, di-
rected by his practised eye, made the
monster harmless forever.
Ivan was taken out of the pit nearly as
dead as the wolf from sheer exhaustion.
A little stimulant from the hunters flask
revived him. Then the WAGNER gave him
lift as far as the village.
1t was proud moment and happy
one for him when, after telling his story,
he emptied the contents OF his pockets
into his wise little sisters lap, and heard
his father, with tears OF thankfulness,
calling him the staff of his age.
"And now, father" he concluded, "you
will not forbid me any more to practise
the fiddle, am sure"
1t is needless to say what was Michael's
answer.
My story ought by rights to end here.
But there is a sequel to it, for all that,
which think must give, although Ivan
never encountered another such thrilling
adventure as that which followed on his
first entrance into public life.
It was not long after this that hand
some carriage drove through the village,
and stopped at Carlovitz the carpenters
door. A pleasant-faced. middle-aged
gentleman got out. 1t was Count For
back, from the castle, the great man of
fireplace. He asked to see Ivan Tronski.
Ivan came forward with quiet self-pos-
session.
stephen Hurla," said the Count, "has
been telling me a wonderful story of
boy who charmed wolf into patience by
playing the violin to him the whole night.
Is this true, and are you hep"
Ivan bowed. "Not the whole night,
my lord; only few hours" he said,
modestly.
"And quite enough too in such grizzly
company" answered the nobleman, smil.
ing. "You must be plucky youngster.
My daughters were so delighted with the
story when Stephen told it that they gave
me no rest till I promised to try to get you
to play to them too. don't think they
will be more difficult to charm than the
wolf. What do you say? If you will
come back to the castle with me, I will
make it worth your while, for your sick
fathers sake"
81 will come willingly" answered Ivan,
"if my master will spare me. But indeed,
sir, am but very poor player, as have
had to learn all 1 know in secret"
81 have heard of that too, my boy" said
the Count, who was himself musical
enthusiast, land respect you for your
energy. Carlovitz, will you give me the
boy for tonight"
The carpenters consent was readily
given to the great man. Ivan in his Sun
day best-and very modest best il was
rode in carriage for the first time in his
life, scarcely able to realize his good
fortune. On arriving at the castle he was
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